Hadley Books

Madam Secretary

June 20, 2020

Author: Madeleine Albright Publication Date: 2003, 2013

Political, personal and insightful are the 3 words that come to my mind after reading Former Secretary of States Madeleine Albright Memoir. The story of how a Czechoslovakian immigrant became the 64^th and first women Secretary of States in the United States of America.

Madeleine Albright was a young, intelligent women full of ambition, when Hitler invaded Czechoslovakia and her family fled to the United States for a safer and better life 1947. After attending Wellesley College, Madeleine started her professional career in journalism by working at local newspapers. Her political career kicked off when she worked on The National Security Committee under the Former President Jimmy Carter Administration. She went on to work on several different campaigns such as: Michael Dukakis presidential campaign. Madeleine is most known for being The United States Ambassador to the United Nations and the 64^th and first women Secretary of State both under Former President Bill Clinton.

This book covers several prominent events in not just The United States but around the world, particularly during her years as Ambassador and Secretary of State. Madeleine highlights several aspects of her personal life as well. Including her marriage, divorce, becoming a parent to her three daughters Anne, Alice and Katie and finding out about her family’s Jewish heritage. She points out the difficult parts of being a parent and juggling a stressful career. However, stressing trying to pave a pathway for females in Government.

Quote: “I had arrived in that harbor half a century before, an eleven-year old immigrant from Prague staring up at the Statue of Liberty. How astonishing that that girl was about to become the 64th Secretary of State and the highest-ranking women in U.S. History.”

This quote describes in a handful sentences how she hopes that her achievements will inspire young men and women that are in or that are coming into this country to shoot for stars and not let the hurtles get them down. I know that women like Madeleine Albright, Hilary Clinton, Michelle Obama, and several more female roles models in Government have inspired me to shoot for my dreams in making not just The United States but the world a better and safer place for all.

Episode 9: The Ballad of Songbirds and snakes”

June 10, 2020

Summary

A review and my thoughts of the highly anticipated Hunger Games prequel! Happy Reading! 📖🥰

—

This episode is sponsored by

· Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bridget-hadley/support

The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes

June 10, 2020

Author: Suzanne Collins Publishing Date: May 2020

War, Peace, and Music are the 3 words that come to mind after reading “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” written by Suzanne Collins. A story of a boy trying to figure out life after war and trying to find peace in the world of some much unknown.

Many of you have heard of and even read the Hunger Games trilogy. Well “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” is a prequel to that series. It goes back in time to the end of the Civil War between the Capital and Districts of Panem and follows the life of the future President Coriolanus Snow.

It opens up at the reaping of the 10th annual Hunger Games where for the first time ever a student mentor is assigned a tribute to guide them through the Games. Coriolanus Snow gets handed a girl from District 12 by the name of Lucy Gray. Lucy Gray may have made an impact at the reaping however, she is still a very unlikely candidate to win the games. On the other hand, they actual make an unbelievable pair both professionally and personally.

Music was used in this book as a way for Lucy Gray to communicate her feelings throughout the book. It was a sense of relief and warmth that was needed during such a difficult time.

I personally believe that this book has come out at just the right time. As world is battling it’s own war against the deathly disease Coronavirus. In addition to The United States in it’s own civil war between the Capital of Washington D.C. and the states in the case race and police brutality.

Throughout the book Coriolanus finds himself stuck between believing whether the Capital is right with creating the Hunger Games and his best friend Sejanus Plith who is against having young children fighting to their deaths. This is an issue that challenges Coriolanus’s moral and human beliefs. As it is also an issue of human decency. Just has the issue of Race and Police Brutality is.

Suzanne Collins does a fantastic job depicting a character caught in the cross roads and just wants the best for his family’s future. She doesn’t leave anything out and wraps up the story very nicely. It is certainly a book that Hunger Game fans have been anticipating and will not be disappointed.

Episode 8: May’s Monthly Wrap up & Releases

June 2, 2020

Summary

My list of my favorite May reads and a list of June releases.

—

This episode is sponsored by

· Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bridget-hadley/support

What Happens in Paradise

May 29, 2020

Drama, Love and Mystery are the 3 words that I think of after reading “What Happens in Paradise” written by Elin Hildebrand. A story of two families coming together after learning their loves ones are living a double life. A novel full of twists and turns at every corner and will have you at the edge of your seat.

We left the Steel and Small family after they found out they are now connected after their loves one are dead from a terrible plane crash. Now we join them back in Saint John’s while they get to the bottom of what truthfully took on the plane on the first of the year. What will happen the Steel family after making their decision to come back to the island. Will there be a chance for Ayer to have a relationship with the boys? Which Steele brother will she choose? Will a brother/sister relationship blossom between Mia and the boys? And let’s not forget Huck and Irene. What will be revealed when Ayer comes across journals from Rose’s past?

“What Happens In Paradise” will continue to pull at your heartstrings and mess with your emotions in every way. It is an epic beach read for the summer. A novel of love stories mixed with mystery. That will not disappoint!

Episode 7: What Happens in Paradise

May 29, 2020

Summary

A review of Elin Hildebrand’s “What Happens in Paradise “

—

This episode is sponsored by

· Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bridget-hadley/support

Kris Jenner and All Things Kardashians

May 28, 2020

Family, Love and Fame are the 3 words that come to my mind after reading “Kris Jenner and All Things Kardashian.” A story of how one women born and raised in San Diego California came to be one of the worlds famous momager.

This book takes you through Kris Jenner’s life from growing up in a loving household, to finding love with a well-respected lawyer at a young age and starting a family. Kris Jenner is candid about her feelings in her first marriage. Which ultimately led to divorce. To finding love again with an Olympic legion and completing her family. She really opens up and goes into great detail about the hurt caused and love and faith that helped her family get through the toughest of times. From the trial of the century to the decision of starting a reality television show and the stardom that followed and everything in between.

To be honest I thought I knew everything about Kris Jenner. I mean her life is on camera. However, I learned about her childhood and the mother-daughter relationship she had her mom that inspired her to have the same relationship with her own children. By reading this book, I have developed a newfound respected for Kris Jenner. A women who devotes her life to loving and supporting her children in the best way she knows how.